St. Petersburg, or St. Pete, as the locals affectionately call it, is more than sunshine and water views; it’s a city filled with art, music, coastal energy, and a vibrant community spirit. Here, you’ll find immersive exhibits, street festivals, live performances, seasonal markets, and hidden gems in neighborhoods that are worth discovering.
If you’re a long-time resident, a visitor, or someone considering St. Pete as your home, this guide will provide you with inside information on what makes life here special.
Here are some of the best events and things to do in St. Petersburg, FL for the rest of 2025 and through summer 2026.
ARTS & CULTURE IN ST. PETE
St. Pete’s creative spirit runs deep, and its art institutions and independent galleries are setting the tone for another memorable year.
At The Dalí Museum, the Dream Tapestry exhibit, which continues through December 2025, invites you to add your own thread to a collaborative piece of art. It’s a meaningful experience that reflects the city’s sense of connection and creativity.
Still at the museum, don’t miss Dalí Alive 360°, an immersive, multi-sensory show that brings the master’s surrealist visions to life. This is a permanent exhibit so you can enjoy it any time and as many times as you want.
A short walk away, the Chihuly Collection continues to impress with Dale Chihuly’s signature glasswork—its flowing, vibrant forms capturing the spirit of St. Pete’s coastal light.
At the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, history, craftsmanship, and storytelling come together through paintings and sculptures. The museum’s calendar of events also ensures year-round activities ranging from art workshops and book club meetings to public talks and live performances.
There is more to the local art scene than museums. Each month, the Second Saturday ArtWalk turns Central Arts District, Grand Central District, Warehouse Arts District, Uptown Arts District, Deuces Live District, Edge District, and Waterfront Arts District into a nighttime celebration of galleries, studios, and performance spaces. Walk, shop, and chat with artists as the city’s creative energy flows everywhere.
For even more vibrant colors, mark your calendar for the SHINE Mural Festival, usually held in October or November. Every year, world-renowned muralists turn downtown buildings into large-scale public art, creating one of the Southeast’s most colorful outdoor galleries.
What to know before you go:
- Visit The Dalí early in the day to avoid crowds, then enjoy the waterfront gardens afterwards.
- Come to the Morean Arts Center for clay classes and to see resident artists at work during open studios.
- The best ArtWalk experience starts in the Grand Central District, where you can grab dinner, park easily, and take the free trolley to visit multiple neighborhoods.
| Insider tip: If you’re looking for homes for sale in St. Petersburg, FL, areas like the EDGE District, Grand Central, and Historic Kenwood are ideal for art lovers seeking culture right outside their door. |
Celebrate one of the most festive and anticipated things to do in St. Petersburg, FL—Piertoberfest, on the St. Pete Pier.
DINING AND SHOPPING IN ST. PETE
The St. Pete Saturday Morning Market, held Downtown from October through May, is a weekly tradition for many locals. Here, over 125 vendors sell farm-fresh produce, international street food, and handmade crafts. It’s a community hub where you’ll probably see friends, meet local chefs, and enjoy live music while walking through the aisles.
On Sundays, the Kenwood Sunday Market showcases neighborhood charm. Smaller than the downtown market but full of local character, it’s perfect for browsing vintage finds, handmade goods, and small-batch baked treats.
For a more upscale experience, visit Mezzo Market in the EDGE District. This monthly event combines fashion, design, and local cuisine, with DJs, pop-up wine bars, and food trucks. It draws St. Pete’s younger, more creative crowd.
Fall is also the season for one of the city’s favorite annual events: Piertoberfest, St. Pete’s annual Oktoberfest celebration. Enjoy Bavarian brews, pretzels, live music, and traditional games in Vinoy Park, a beautiful waterfront setting for a fall afternoon.
If you love shopping local, save a weekend for the Shopapalooza Festival, St. Pete’s biggest celebration of small businesses. Held every November in Vinoy Park, it brings together hundreds of local makers, restaurants, and performers just in time for the holidays.
Don’t miss these pop-ups and events happening in St. Pete throughout the year:
Many of these events are located in or near neighborhoods with some of the most desirable houses for sale in St. Petersburg, FL, including Old Northeast, Downtown, and Historic Kenwood. Living nearby means these vibrant markets become part of your weekly routine. |
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN ST. PETE
Enjoy a peaceful morning kayaking, boating, or paddleboarding along St. Pete’s calm coastal waters
Between festivals, art walks, and waterfront markets, St. Pete offers numerous ways to enjoy the outdoors throughout the year.
Start your morning with a walk or bike ride along the St. Pete Waterfront Trail, a scenic seven-mile stretch connecting North Shore Park to the historic Vinoy Basin and the lively St. Pete Pier. The path winds past public art pieces, peaceful parks, and waterfront cafés, perfect for a coffee break with a view.
Water lovers should kayak through Weedon Island Preserve. Paddle through mangrove tunnels and calm lagoons, spotting herons, manatees, and dolphins. If you prefer open water, rent a paddleboard or join a guided eco-tour around Fort De Soto Park, one of the Gulf Coast’s favorite beaches.
Locals also enjoy watching the sunset on Pass-a-Grille Beach, where the horizon glows with pink and gold colors every evening. It’s a peaceful way to end the day, surrounded by joggers, kite flyers, and fishermen.
Here are a few other ways to enjoy St. Pete’s outdoor charm:
- Take a dolphin-watching cruise leaving from St. Pete Pier.
- Explore Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, home to shaded trails and a diverse array of wildlife.
- Enjoy waterfront dining at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille or Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro, both with stunning views.
- Join a weekend yoga class on the pier lawn or in North Straub Park.
WHAT’S AHEAD FOR ST. PETE THIS YEAR
Dress up, explore, and enjoy a spooky evening during Halloween on Central
From spooky trolley rides in the fall to waterfront concerts in the summer, every season in St. Pete has its own energy. Here’s what to look forward to from now until 2026.
Fall 2025: art, autumn air, and coastal celebrations
Autumn in St. Pete signals the most anticipated cultural period of the year. The SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival transforms the city into a vast art gallery, while the John’s Pass Seafood Festival celebrates local catch, coastal cuisine, and maritime heritage.
In between, you’ll find literary readings, art walks, and live music throughout the city. The St. Petersburg Jazz Festival and Festival of Reading showcase the city’s artistic sophistication, drawing visitors from across Florida.
The Ghostly Haunted Trolley Tour returns for another spooky season, taking guests through St. Pete’s historic and haunted landmarks. Over in the Old Northeast, the Halloween Décor Tour gives locals and visitors a front-row seat to the city’s most festively ghoulish homes. At the same time, families can participate in the Trunk or Treat Fall Festival, featuring games, live entertainment, and an abundance of treats.
Here are other activities to check out this fall in St. Petersburg, FL:
- Experience Halloween on Central, a family-friendly street festival downtown.
- Sign up for a half-marathon, 10K, or 5K at the St. Pete Run Fest.
- Discover handcrafted treasures at the CraftArt Festival.
- Enjoy country music and Gulf Coast energy at the St. Pete Country Fest.
Winter 2025: a magical experience on the waterfront
St. Pete’s holiday season feels cinematic: boats glide across the bay on warm evenings, live music spills from waterfront venues, and the scent of roasted nuts and cocoa fills the air. In December, hundreds of artisans and local makers gather in downtown St. Pete for the St. Pete Indie Holiday Festival.
The season continues with signature events like the Downtown St. Pete Lighted Boat Parade and New Year’s Eve at St. Pete Pier, beloved traditions that draw thousands to the waterfront for dazzling lights, live music, and fireworks reflecting across Tampa Bay. You can also experience First Night St. Petersburg, a family-friendly arts and performance festival that turns downtown into an open-air stage on New Year’s Eve.
Here are other winter activities to enjoy in St. Petersburg, FL:
- Shop local treasures at the Shopapalooza Festival in Vinoy Park (Nov. 29–30).
- Sip on hot cocoa and browse handmade goods at the Winter Market in Williams Park.
- Walk beneath the Holiday Lights at North Straub Park for a picture-perfect evening.
- Attend The Florida Orchestra’s Holiday Pops Concert at the Mahaffey Theater.
Fresh produce, flowers, and handmade goods fill the stalls as spring arrives in St. Pete.
Spring 2026: festivals, flowers, and waterfront fun
During spring, St. Pete experiences warm, but not humid, weather that is perfect for art exhibitions, music festivals, and dining on Beach Drive.
Every March, the Mainsail Art Festival takes over Vinoy Park, showcasing hundreds of fine artists from across the country. It’s one of Florida’s most respected art events—a weekend filled with paintings, photography, and sculpture against the backdrop of Tampa Bay.
Music lovers flock to Reggae Rise Up Florida, an annual multi-day event at Vinoy Park that features international headliners and food trucks. Fresh local produce, handmade goods, and live entertainment are available at St. Pete’s Spring Market.
If you’re looking for something a little different, catch a show at The Palladium Theater, where local musicians and touring acts perform everything from jazz to classical. And as always, the city’s Second Saturday ArtWalk keeps the creative pulse alive every month.
Add these spring activities to your list of things to do in St. Petersburg, FL:
- Browse paintings and sculptures at the Mainsail Art Festival.
- Dance to live music at Reggae Rise Up Florida.
- Stroll by the St. Pete Pier for outdoor dining and sunset views.
- Discover seasonal blooms at the Sunken Gardens, a 100-year-old tropical oasis.
Summer 2026: sunshine, music, and laid-back waterfront living
Watch artists transform blank canvases into masterpieces during the SHINE Mural Festival.
When summer arrives, St. Pete slows down a bit. Locals retreat to the shaded cafes, breezy patios, and beaches that define this coastal paradise. Still, the cultural calendar stays busy, offering plenty of things to do in St. Petersburg, FL even on warmer days.
St. Pete Pier has become the city’s favorite summer gathering spot with outdoor concerts, craft markets, and movie nights under the stars. Art takes center stage as well. The Chihuly Collection and Morean Arts Center for Clay host workshops ideal for indoor creative escapes during hot afternoons, while at the Dali Museum, events like poetry reading and yoga sessions add variety to the museum’s offerings of fascinating permanent and seasonal exhibits.
Here are a few summer activities to check off your list in St. Petersburg, FL:
- Celebrate Independence Day with fireworks at St. Pete Pier.
- Catch a Tampa Bay Rays game at Tropicana Field.
- Watch outdoor films at Summer Cinema at The Dalí Museum.
- Enjoy early mural previews ahead of the SHINE Mural Festival.
LIVE THE SEASON, LIVE ST. PETE
Every season in St. Petersburg invites you to explore, connect, and celebrate, from shimmering boat parades to open-air art festivals that light up the waterfront. If the city’s creative pulse and coastal charm resonate with you, let me, Jennifer Thayer, guide your next move. With deep local expertise and a commitment to personalized service, I’ll help you find not just a home, but a lifestyle that reflects everything you love about St. Pete.
Start your search for homes for sale in St. Petersburg, FL, discover the hidden gems in each neighborhood, and embrace the rhythm of life in Florida’s most dynamic Gulf Coast city.
Call me at 727.729.2699 or send me a message to schedule a private consultation and learn more about everything St. Pete has to offer.
